I’ve been gearing up for a buying guide on DIYer tool kits, and as usual I like to vet tools before I can recommend them. So… NEW TOOL DAY!
We have a content series coming up, and it was time to go shopping. I have a lot more shopping to do, but I thought this was a good time to share a quick peek.
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Unsurprisingly, most of these tools are not new to me, although some of them are.
I’ve tested and even own quite a few of these tools, but design or production updates mean I need to work with current versions of these tools if I’m to suggest or recommend them.
Here are the impulse buys:
- Husky 5″ Utility Sack
- Husky End Nipper with Claw
The entire haul was purchased at retail via my local Home Depot stores. I’ve been very eager to get the ball rolling on this content series, and I’m thrilled that Home Depot signed on as a sponsor.
Don’t mind the Spax lag screws or can of WD40, that was just part of a normal supply run.
In addition to the DIYer tool kit buying guide, I’ve got a long list of personal and reader questions that I’ll be seeking to answer. Because of this, you might see some overlap in the types of tools.
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Here’s the full list of what you see here:
Husky
- Tool bag
- End nippers with hammer claw
- Diamond tip screwdriver set
- 27 oz dead blow hammer
- Utility knife with bottle opener
- 6-in-1 multi-bit screwdriver
Dewalt
- Single end pull saw
- Flush cut pull saw
- Retractable utility knife (exclusive promo display)
Crescent
- 8′ adjustable wrench
- Miniature wire cutter and pliers set
- Wiss mini bolt and wire cutter
Milwaukee
- Rafter square
- Diagonal cutter
- Locking pliers
- Side-slide utility knife
- Wire stripper
Empire
- Poly rafter square
- Aluminum rafter square
- Premium aluminum rafter square
Klein
- Basic wire stripper
- Klein Kurve wire stripper
- Multi-functional wire stripper
Stanley
- Hi-viz utility knife
Would you add any of these tools to your own tool kit?
Following is a brief (less than 60 second) sneak peek and highlights overview. I’m sorry for the aspect ratio, that’s what YouTube wants for “shorts.” I’m planning on a more elaborate usual-format video or two in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’m trying to get my bearings – I’m far more comfortable with written content than video.
Will
nice
Bobby
Sweet! I’m especially interested in the utility knives and screwdrivers. The tool bag looks pretty neat too.
Mick
Hey Stu…looks like a nice haul. The DeWalt pull saw caught my eye. Do you want some replacement blades? I have about 100 blades. More than I’ll ever used. I use to work for a company that made those as well as many other various types. If you want some replacements, email me.
Stuart
Thanks – I appreciate your offer and will keep it in mind!
MoogleMan3
I like those husky bags! I can see myself adding a few of those to the shop.
I have a few of those poly rafter squares and like them a lot.
Looking forward to your impressions of the rest.
schill
I have a couple of these bags and find them to be very handy. They do a good job holding screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, etc. I usually put pens, non-contact electrical sensors, knives, scissors, and similar things in the outside pockets.
And they work well inside bins/buckets/etc. to keep things separated.
MoogleMan3
Keeping my writing utensils in there was what I was thinking. Probably a pair of scissors and nt cutter too. Those things end up lost in my tool bag even though I try to keep them in their places.
Jared
Interesting choices.
The nipper hammer seems… strange. I imagine it could be useful for pulling nails. I’m skeptical of cheap pliers – so I will await your review.
The Dewalt saws look identical to Stanley-branded versions I own – at least from my phone screen. I’ve enjoyed those saws. They work well for the price.
The Milwaukee rafter Square – I bought the mini one when it came out. It’s great. I’ve no doubt the full size version is a good choice.
I’m not going back to the manual pull-style strippers of any brand now that I have Knipex automatics. I’m curious about the Channellock multifunction pliers/strippers though. Could you add them to the list? I can see the utility of having an all in one tool like that.
Mini bolt cutters? I could use those! I have Tekton’s (that suck – sorry, I consider myself positive about most tools, but those are just plain useless). I keep eyeballing the Knipex cobolt cutters but I’m open to options.
Stuart
I said the same, about not going back to manual wire strippers, but I’ve had to. Automatic strippers don’t serve 100% of my needs.
It’s also hard to recommend automatic wire strippers to DIYers on a lower budget. The cheaper ones are so-so, and more expensive ones can be hard to justify price-wise.
I’ve been using the Channellock and don’t like them as much as other brands’, but I need to give them more time to say for sure.
I’ve had the Knipex Cobalt cutters on my shopping list for a while, but I have a pair of these from HK Porter that work nicely. Once I’m done abusing my HK Porter/Crescent cutters, maybe then I’ll spring for the Knipex, but I haven’t needed to yet.
For this series of posts, I’m focusing on DIY tools, and specifically what you can source from Home Depot, but there’s the potential to branch off in more directions depending on reader interest and response.
I’ve been meaning to make progress on my “Tool Guide” idea that inspired ToolGuyd, and there have also been reader questions piling up with DIY recommendation requests. Limiting everything to one retailer (and the best one where I do my shopping) simplifies the approach, and they’re helping to make it possible by sponsoring the series.
One thing at a time.
I really like Milwaukee’s rafter square as well. Here, I want to compare all of the main options to see what each upgrade tier brings.
Jared
I’m hoping for a review of those Channellocks. 😉 I generally consider Channellock to offer very good performance for the price-point – but those combo pliers are somewhat expensive for them, making it even more interesting if they fall short a bit.
Is it Milwaukee or Klein that you prefer?
Good point about automatic strippers for DIYers. They’re just so handy if you have if you have any quantify of wiring to do.
Looking forward to the guide expansion too!
Vards Uzvards
I have a TEKTON 8″ Bolt Cutter (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NQ4OYO/), bought it to cut a thick galvanized wire. It does the job, but sometimes you need to put way too much pressure to cut through. Today tried to cut some bolts – easily did an M4, but got stuck on an M5 one.
With a Knippex CoBolt XL (7101250; https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N74RCAA/) I’m able to easily cut M4, M5 and M6 bolts. Granted, this tool has longer handles, and it costs three times as much.
Jared
That’s the Tekton I have! Yours must be better than mine. I don’t think I could make it through an M4.
When I bought it I mostly had in mind cutting tasks that were slightly more challenging than my side-cutters could manage, but I wanted something that could still fit in my pocket. Ideally I hoped they could cut barbed or single-strand fence wire – they can’t.
They were cheap – so it’s not like I stay up at night worrying about the money I spent. I’m not sure why they’re still in my toolbox – I can’t think of a cutting task where I would reach for them. I’m sure my Channellock side cutters are more capable.
fred
We had good luck with HIT (Toho Koki Co.) brand bolt cutters – made in Japan
They make hand (pliers style) cutters – but we had mostly their longer bolt , cable and threaded rod cutters.
https://www.amazon.com/Tools-22-BC8H-8-Inch-Cutter-Ucostore/dp/B01MZ9FI0E/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=22-bc8h&qid=1619180689&sr=8-1
At home – I have a few small Knipex bolt cutters – very nice tools but pricey:
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/knipex-bolt-cutter-cobolt-xl-compact-250mm-71-01-250
Jared
I’ll keep that brand in mind. Couldn’t find them on Amazon Canada though. Thanks for the suggestion.
fred
The Husky end nippers look like the ones from Dewalt:
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/dewalt-10-inch-multi-function-end-nipper-dwht75488
I dont see either one online at HD
Bill Bahmuller
I didn’t see them either searching HD but the DeWalt ones showed up on a Google search there. I use end nippers to pull nails from reclaimed wood. Having the extra claw seems like it would provide a longer range to pull rather than having to regrip so often.
fred
I now see the Dewalt ones online at HD – but out of stock .
The Husky ones – perhaps are in-store only – maybe discontinued.
Leo Bauer
This looks like a nice haul! For the Stanley utility knife, I prefer the quick change sliding ones personally, but the brighter color may help if you lose it. My absolute favorite utility knife, actually, has been the Fiskars fixed blade. It’s an absolute killer deal at about $10, and is well worth even double that. It has all the sturdiness of a fixed blade, but I can drop it anywhere because of the guard. Tool-less blade change, and a very comfortable grip. It may not be the best to wipe down if you get glue on you hands, but otherwise it’s the bomb. I had to cut a bunch of HardieBacker, and although I could actually see the tip of the blade disappear on multiple blades, my hand felt great, ergonomically. Sorry, got sidetracked a little there. I’m interested in how the Milwaukee square stacks up to the premium Empire, and which one you prefer. Cool new tools!
JoeM
Oh that’s a Pull Saw!!! I swear, when I squinted and looked, I genuinely thought it was some new ESD safe ratchet from DeWALT… I need my eyes checked.
And thank you for the reminder… Now subscribed to the YouTube channel. Can’t believe it has slipped my mind this long.
I’ll just… shut up and appreciate the haul… Wow I need new eyes…
fred
Woodcraft has some pull saws on sale:
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/japanese-kugihiki-flush-cutting-hand-saw
Adrian
Great post! As an editorial comment, double negatives cancel each other out, so “not unsurprisingly” = “surprisingly”.
I think you meant either “not surprisingly” or “unsurprisingly”.
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
I mean… I was just checking to see if anyone was paying attention. =)
MM
The only things on that list I’d consider purchasing for my own use are the Crescent adjustable wrench (those are nice quality, I have two among my various sizes and brands) and things like utility knives and squares since those are pretty hard to screw up. The Husky tool bag looks pretty useful too. That said, most of the rest of the tools I’d rather have from a more premium brand but then again I am a professional. I think for a homeowner who may not need the durability or performance of pro tools and just wants to pick up the basics at the local HD for a reasonable price this review could be very handy.
A few other tools I think DIYers get a lot of use out of that you might cover in the future:
pry bars, levels, tape measures, caulking guns, hacksaws, painting gear (roller frames, brushes, paint scrapers)
fred
To add to that DIY homeowner hand tool list:
hand sanding block, claw hammer, mill (bastard cut) file, scratch awl, needle nose pliers, lineman’s pliers, small broad knife for spackling, butt chisel, several clamps, a flashlight, work gloves, torpedo level, 2 ft or longer level, magnetic pickup tool, outlet tester, voltage probe, pair of pipe wrenches, block plane, small rasp, pop rivet gun, wallboard jab saw, utility scissors, tin snips, wire brush.
Ed
The Husky bag caught my eye as well. Perfect for grabbing tools, etc for small projects around the house or yard to put all needed items into one place. The Husky nippers look good too. I like the poly square as well but just picked one up last week at Harbor Freight before the sale ended for $1.99. Would like to see your feedback on all the utility knives as I am thinking about getting a couple new ones for around the house.
Nathan
I’m intrigued by both pull saws – don’t normally shop a dewalt for a pull saw but I’m interest. especially in the flush cut as I need a new one.
Rafter Squares – I have an empire that I bought last year – like it alot. Not sure if it’s the “premium ” one. so I’m curious.
also curious to see your take on milwaukee vs empire as they are very similar.
And I’m very curious on those Klein multifunction strippers. THey look handy.
I’m less curious on the others but still interested in seeing what is where.
DC
Of course, WD-40. I always grab a couple of cans while at HD.
Jason S.
I have and often use the Husky 5″ utility sack. It has a nice parachute bag top for carrying lots of hardware and not dumping them. I added a carabiner and I carry this on my belt with a couple hand tools or just hardware. It’s the perfect size when you only need a few tools or you need to carry a lot of hardware (like deck screws, nails, etc.).
Joe
Great haul! Those diamond tipped screwdrivers mean business. I have those and GearWrench ones (both Apex made) and they grip screws very well. I replaced my USA Craftsman clear handles with them.
Stacey Jones
I’ve got the tool sack and like it. Aside from that the hammer and crescent cutter/plier set look nice. If you add more tools, it’d be interesting to get your thoughts on the klein lineman’s pliers. I can’t decide between these and the Knipex.
Stuart
It might take me some time. I have a couple of recently purchased Klein lineman’s pliers that offer improved user experience compared to my older stiffer ones, but I can’t find my recent Knipex version.
Klein’s are an industry standard, but Knipex is also a very good pliers brand. It’s hard to point to either over the other.